STUPAK, FOSSELLA INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO PREVENT DEATH AND INJURY FROM STOVE TIPPING

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressmen Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Vito Fossella (R-NY) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would require all stoves sold in the United States to include anti-tipping brackets and would further require the brackets be installed. H.R. 5753 is aimed at preventing the dozens of deaths and injuries that occur every year when stoves tip over.

“Since 1980, at least 33 people were killed and 84 were injured when free-standing stoves tipped over on them, yet at no point over the course of the past 28 years has the Consumer Product Safety Commission taken action to end these preventable deaths and injuries,” Stupak said. “These incidents are almost always preventable if the brackets are used.”

Fossella said, “This bill will help save lives. There have been too many tragic stories of young children dying as a result of tipping stoves and other large household items. We also need to continue educating families of these dangers so they can take action to child-proof their homes.”

Virtually all kitchen stoves sold in the United States come equipped with anti-tipping brackets or similar devices which, if installed, will prevent the stove from tipping over in nearly all situations. Unfortunately, some installers, retailers, landlords and others fail to install these brackets. As a result, there are incidents each year – usually involving children – in which stoves are stood on or climbed upon, causing the product to tip. These accidents are tragic as children can be crushed or burned by hot food on the stove top.

H.R. 5753 would require that all stoves sold or distributed in the United States contain anti-tipping brackets or other anti-tipping devices. It also requires warning language on the product making clear that the brackets must be installed for safety. It makes it a violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act for a retailer to install the product without using the brackets per the manufacturer’s instructions. The bill also calls on the Consumer Product Safety Commission to conduct an informational campaign to educate consumers about the danger of range and oven tipping, as well as the importance of installing anti-tipping devices.

The legislation has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over consumer product safety issues in general and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Stupak and Fossella both serve on the committee.

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